Russian tourists opened the sky of Turkey: when will resume Charter flights

Russian tourists opened the sky of Turkey: when will resume Charter flights

28.08.2016

Sunday, August 28, at 14.30 Moscow time was published the government resolution on the resumption of Charter flights from Russia to Turkey. This document was long-awaited, at least from 30 June this year, when Vladimir Putin issued a decree on easing of some sanctions measures against Ankara. First of all, the President was allowed to re-sell tours on the Turkish coast, as well as Charter flights. But, if in the first case it was to happen, they want rushed to Asia Minor, the Charter has stalled. Without permission of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of transport is impossible. So, prices were running high because of the high cost of regular flights. Therefore, the number of tourists was rather modest. But allowed the Charter is unlikely to correct the situation this year is “high season” ended.

photo: Mikhail Kovalev

Permission for Charter flights to Turkey had in the last few days to grow beyond normal logic stories.

Judge for yourself. First, on Saturday, August 27, it was reported one of the state agencies that do day charters in Turkey are allowed and the airline can ask for specific permissions right away — they will all be satisfied.

But there it was. Press Secretary of Prime Minister Natalia Timakova refutes this message to the relevant government resolution has not been signed yet.

Read the material: Airlines have started to submit applications for Charter flights to Turkey

Representatives of the tourism industry has not kept itself waiting. Press Secretary of the Association of tourist organizations of Russia (ATOR) Irina Tyurin has explained: “there’s no telling when it will sign the resolution. More importantly, the so-called high season this year in Turkey already completed. So, despite lower prices due to permission for Charter by 20-30%, now it is difficult to expect growth of shopping vouchers in this direction. Better to wait for the charters to Egypt.”

The idea is that it would be possible to wait for a long bureaucratic changes for another week or two. But let’s remind, that Vladimir Putin on June 30 signed a decree, which allowed for just two direct orders: allow making trips to Turkey (which was immediately implemented by the government) and to the same Charter.

photo: Gennady Cherkasov

August 9 at a meeting in St. Petersburg with Turkish President Erdogan, Putin said that the renewal of the Charter is only a “technical issue”.

In other words, the relevant Russian agencies had to hurry, despite all the legal bureaucratic rules.

As a result, the government decree on the return of Charter flights to Turkey, was published on the website of our government at 14.30 Moscow time on Sunday, August 28. Such important documents are not always posted at the weekend. Apparently, it was necessary to do so in the near future.

Of course, expected in September, the avalanche of Russian tourists in Turkey is quite difficult. Most of them have already returned home with school-age children. As another highlight in the tourism industry, it’s too late the decision was made.

Nevertheless, as stressed by the assistant head of Rosaviation Sergey Izvolsky, requests for Charter in the case of their submission, will be fully satisfied. Importantly, the flights were filled. What is in doubt because of the low exchange rate of the ruble and the fall in real incomes.

Though not the most important thing when planes from Russia fly cheaply and under eyeballs. If not this fall then next spring and summer. After all, for tourists, rather than industry, and the opportunity to relax by the sea for good money.

So the government decision is aimed in the right direction. By the way, it is decorated in a style so cautious that in the case when Turks violate at least one of the international rule of safety, permission to re-Charter can be revoked.

However, Turkey only this year, according to various estimates, have lost up to $12 billion of tourist income, most of which were Russians. The result is up to 100 thousand jobs could be lost. Why take the chance? Even when conducting strange operations in Syria against those of the Kurds?